Having entered RAAM for 2012, my training and racing goals will be structured around getting ready for the start of RAAM on June 13th. I have tried to incorporate the lessons learned from 2010 into my training plan. I felt that three key changes had to be made from 2010. First, I needed to have more focus and direction to my training. Merely accumlating mileage from my daily commute to work with longer rides on the weekends wasn't sufficient preparation for RAAM. Second, I needed to be more disciplined with my nutrition and third, I needed to refocus my goals for RAAM and give myself more time to mentally prepare.

In terms of more focus and direction to my training, I have tried to add more quality into my training in addition to the quantity. More speed work is part of this and starting mid-March this will ramp up with interval work incorporated into one leg of my commute twice a week along with a fast group ride, and a high tempo 50 miles ride one weekend day. I spent three weeks in December in Los Angeles doing a lot of hill work and would like to get another week in sometime in April. In February I rode the Sebring 24 Hour Race. Had a great ride covering 440 miles in the non-drafting race, unsupported. Nutrition went well and had no problems with sleepiness or any major issues. In April I will do a few brevets to compliment the speedwork. I will race Balltown in May and add century rides before the start and after the race. May will also a cross-Iowa record attempt as both training for me and also for the crew under RAAM rules and race conditions.

I have changed my primary nutrition to Infinit. Working with the company, I have had three custom blends designed. One is higher in protein, the second has less protein to carbohydrates, and the third is primarily fast acting carbohydrates and caffeine to work as an instant pick me-up. I have also worked on drinking and eating small amounts frequently rather than binging as I have done in the past. I will also be more circumspect in the solid food I eat and have the crew keep strict tabs on my intake.

In 2010 I got overly involved in the logistics and preparation for RAAM and also let the 'mythology' of how difficuly RAAM is to get inside my head. RAAM is hard, but it is easy to get caught in the myth. This time around I am not as pre-occupied with preparations and my crew chief, Joe Mann, is taking on more of the logistics. I am trying to relinquish control and focus on riding. I am also hoping to get out West earlier to decompress from work and mentally prepare for the start.

You can follow my training progress by checking out my Big-Dog logs on The Big-Dogs website (follow the link to Today's Logs or Standings) or the Team Carpenter-RAAM 2012 Facebook page.